budkretz

Why would we have Webb playing dime CB? I can't fathom how you would consider us not playing Humphery in that position. More than likely, we'll have Canady as a 5th CB, and he was doing a fine job playing ST until he was injured. Humphery will more than likely be given every opportunity to compete for Carr's spot, but likely will be in nickle/dime packages. In any case, if you haven't been watching Raven's games the last few years, we have had so many problems fielding a competitive secondary late in the season, it will be a relief to have capable guys who can come in and play at a high level. Webb may see some time at CB, but my prediction is that would be very limited and only if the injury bug hits us during a game. He's going to be the main back up safety,(and wouldn't be surprised if he does some return work also) not a full time CB. In my ideal world, we play a lot more dime packages (something we literally played none of last season) and Webb is part of that package, as a coverage guy either at CB or Safety (in Dime I'm not sure it really matters). Lack of depth/quality player at ILB to me means we should put more secondary players out there, especially on passing downs. Finding a way to get Weddle/Jefferson/Webb on the field at the same time seems like a good idea to me. You didn't pay Carr to sit on the bench. The dime might play 1 down out of three and as of yet Humphrey isn't proven. As you mentioned we have Canady and Sheldon Price from last year that when they played they were good and showed much potential. We have oodles of safety's. Was Humphrey that great a pick in that we ignored other needs - specifically o-line. With a trade back you get that o-lineman , you get an extra pick and the dbs are still strong and you have improved the o-line. IMO this was a miss. Now that the pick has been made I want Humphrey to be all-pro but that means Carr or Smith sit and they are getting paid big bucks.

Don't understand why we did not trade back in 1st round to get an extra pick in 3rd round. If Humphrey is a starter right off that means J Smith or B Carr are injured. To start the year the DBs are Smith, Carr, Weddle and Jefferson, T Young is nickel and L Webb is dime - this means Humphrey your #1 pick is special teams and he is not a return man. With an extra pick we could get one of the better running backs or second wave of WR to at least bolster what we have on offense. And by picking in the 20s we would have secured one of the 3 bog O-linemen and only have one position to worry about. We'd still be in a position to get Bowser, Wormley and T Williams (at least 2 out of 3) As of today we have 2 spots on o-line we are unsure of. We have 3 WRs that have experience and defenses don't have to focus on Wallace or Perriman and they can be covered man-to-man. Defenses will allow Pitta to catch 200 passes since he only nets about 5 yards and had worst percentage of moving the chains. The other TEs are old, injured, suspended or on IR Dixon is out 4 games . Does West keep DC's up at nights planning their defense against the Ravens? All you need is a vanilla defense on 1st & 2nd downs and on 3rd you blitz past a line with 3 /5 proven players. Unless Ozzie can find a trade to bring in a playmaker our offense is going to struggle. No matter how good the Ravens defense is we will give up 15-20 points a game. Unless Marty M comes up with brilliant game plans I don't see the offense having big numbers. Yes the defense should be much improved and we will stay in most games because of that. But to expect a ball hawking team like we had in 2000 under Pees is probably wishful thinking. I hope I am wrong and I will root until the end , but I can't see a record above 8-8.

Don't forget Matt Skura a UDFA and practice squad player from last year as our center. He's been around for a year, hopefully has gained bulk and knowledge. He was considered one of the better UDFA signings from last year's group. I see the Ravens picking up a veteran Tackle since most of our players vying to be a starter seem more inclined to be a G or C. I think Lewis can switch to right tackle, but he looked good at LG and worked well with Stanley

Not to disrespect Danny Woodhead but who have the Ravens added to the offense in order to give Joe Flacco more options and playmakers? Check down city did not work!

Like the defensive picks in first 3 rounds and hope Bowser is as good as the Ravens rated him. much potential. The defense should be much improved but it may have to pitch a lot of shutouts. Yes, the WRs went quickly with Williams , Davis and Ross went in top 10 which precluded any trade talk. Schuster-Smith went to Steelers late in round 2 and Godwin went in 3rd round. They were second tier WRs but have good potential. Ravens could have picked either one. Hope this does not come back to bite us. After the draft and FA we still need playmakers on offense. Running backs are okay and the best - Dixon is suspended first four games so he won't be a factor until the 6th or 7th game by the time he gets into football playing shape.. Wide receivers it's Wallace and Perriman. They are okay and will give us a good game here and there, but they lack that constant threat. The TE's are okay. The problem is an okay offense does not win games. The only playmaker we have is Tucker and he can only kick 4 FGs a game. The defense will need to hold teams to the low teens to give the Ravens a chance. I know some veterans will be released, but unless we stumble into another Dumervil situation can we honestly get a playmaker in the UDFA or free- agent, released veterans market. Don't want to be pessimistic, but how much better are we now than the team from last year that went 8-8. At this point that record seems reasonable for the upcoming season..

My top 5 at #16 of those likely to be on the board are: Barnett, Davis, Reddick, Howard, Williams . Many if not all of these players could already be off the board depending on how many QBs are taken. If these players are gone try to trade back and get an extra 3rd. The picks from 18 plus into the middle of the 2nd round are pretty interchangeable. If no trade partner is there and we are stuck at #16 then my next group is Foster, Robinson or Cook. I feel that all of these players should be starters from day one and have all-pro potential. My gut says we trade back instead of picking at #16

Assuming the big names go and a couple QBs are picked in the first 15 selections my pick at #16 in order are: Derek Barnett (Edge), Davis (WR), Williams (WR) and Foster (ILB). If all 4 are already taken then I would try my best to trade back to the low 20's and get at least another 3rd round pick or add in a 5th to get another 2nd. In the 20's we can still get a good Edge (Charles Harris, Taco Charlton, Takk McKinney. The "good" edge rushes will be gone by our pick in round #2 at #47. We've reached the last two years with Z Smith and Judon. They both have promise but as of now are they every down players with upside or are they rotational? To replace Dumervil and Suggs (soon) we need to get someone with upside. There are enough WRs in round two should we not get Williams or Davis. please pass on ross we already have Wallace and Perriman.

Assuming the big names go my two picks if the Ravens stay at #16 are Derek Barnett (Edge) and Williams (WR). I'd take Barnett over Williams if both are there mainly because there are better WRs in the 2nd round over edge rushers. If both are off the board and we stay at #16 go Dalvin Cook (RB) or Corey Davis (WR). Ideally if Barnett and Williams are gone it makes sense to trade back are far as the low 20's. There are good options at o-line, CB, LB and Edge worthy of a pick in the 20's. With the extra 3rd the Ravens may be able and willing to move up 2 to 4 slots to get Barnett or Williams or if somehow a Lattimore or Solomon drop into the teens (not likely). Despite not having a ton of picks the Ravens are sitting in a good spot at #16

Boldin wants a ring (and he is a competitor); otherwise, there's no reason for him to play another year. He has money and his health He won't sign until June and if he can get a team closer to Florida he will, but if he believes the Ravens have a shot at playoffs and more it makes sense. Boldin knows the Coaches, the system, the town. Q no longer has to be the every down player and his leadership in the clubhouse and classroom would be invaluable. I say our chances are 60-40.

Throw Sheldon Price into the CBs. He looked good in the couple games before IR and he has good size

Definitely agree if all the big names come off the board in the first 15 picks I take Barnett and then Davis. I think Mike Williams (WR) is gone by 12th pick. If these two are off the board try to drop back 3-6 spots and get an extra 2nd or 3rd pick. If we have to stay at #16 My next two would be Dalvin Cook (RB) and the best rated CB left.

All-in-all good players but: 1. Ross - already have two speed receivers don't need a 3rd one 2. Williams - can get in round #2 3. Humphrey - is in the running but likely available in the 20's WR Davis & Williams - have to be at top of their board Edge Rushers Barnett, McKinley, Charlton and Harris would be my order of preference OT is only taken if the Rvens trade back into the 20's in order to get more picks in rounds 2 and 3. My top 3 are:: Williams, Barnett, Davis if we stay at #16. if they are gone, trade back and get one of the others noted because at least 4-5 of them will be drafted/available in the 20's,

The ravens have to get an edge rusher with out 1st or 2nd pick and there should be very good ones available at #16 or #47. At #16 if we go offense think Dalvin Cook or Mike Williams as playmakers. Hoping Cook is Zeke Elliott like -on the field and not off - or Williams is that good so we don't miss on a WR. An edge rusher is the other big need yet addressed. There are some very strong draftees that can be picked in first two rounds: Derek Barnett, Takk McKinley, Zach Cunningham, Taco Charlton, Charles Harris should be in play. If playmakers are drafted before we pick I see Ozzie trading back to get 1 to 2 more picks in rounds 2 &3. We'll know in a month.

Mike Williams and cook will probably be gone by 16th. I'm still not sold in Barnett at 16. Looking at the Second round. I'm in love with the talent on the board. The two CBs you mentioned and a few other good guys that may need some developing but their feeling is so high! Ryan Anderson (Alabama) looks like Suggs 2.0 and he may be there when we pick in the second. Iv seen a few mocks here and there, there's a great chance one of the top 2 Tackles falls to us. I wouldn't be dissapointed at all if we take one either one at 16 last but not least. If Sidney jones is there in the third then I'd love to see Ozzie pull the trigger. Not often do you get a top 15 talent in the third round. All you gotta do is wait a year. Agree. It seems after the top 10 picks and any teams grabbing QBs that picks in the 10-32 first round and those in top half of second round that there's not a big difference in ability/potential. And the 3rd round has sound players. Anderson has moved up the board and you can add Charles Harris (Mizzou) and Carl Lawson (Auburn) as Edge rushers. An extra pick in that grouping could help the Ravens fill out their roster needs. There are a couple veteran tackles that have been released along with Mangold, Boldin and Zach Brown that are out there. As vets they want to play and if they may be past A+ days but even at B range they can bridge and train the new draftees as they adjust to pro ball. The Ravens are still considered playoff bound and most seem to enjoy their time in Baltimore, so I see a couple veterans coming in. I think with our Coaches knowing it's playoff or they are out we will see some new strategies this year. Of course I want the playoffs and then some, but let's at least have some exciting games on both offense and defense. With Tucker, Koch and Cox we have the best kicking team. The optimism is coming back!

With Sidney Jones out of the picture, I see the Ravens looking at 3 main possibilities at pick #16: Mike Williams (WR), Dalvin Cook (RB) and Derek Barnett (Edge). If these 3 are gone don't be surprised to see us trade back in the draft -maybe early 20's and get extra picks in round 2 and 3. If this occurs we should be able to get an Edge rusher in round #1 (McKinley, Charlton, Harris) and with the 2nd round pick get a good CB (Conley, Humphrey, Moreau), with the next picks in 2nd & 3rd you get o-line and a ILB and fill other needs. I can see Anquan Boldin come back on a one year deal and what he'll do in the locker room and team rooms is worth his pay alone. If Sidney Jones is available in the 4th round, I would draft him knowing he's a red-shirt but potential is worth it. I also think Ozzie will make a move or two before the draft which will continue to alter the needs as the draft approaches.